HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-004 RESOLUTION NO. 2005- 004
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN
RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, TO SUPPORT MAINTAINING THE INDIAN RIVER
LAGOON BLUEWAY PROJECT ON THE "A" ACQUISITION LIST UNDER
THE FLORIDA FOREVER PROGRAM
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon, a 156-mile long estuary on
Florida's east coast, has been designated by the United States Government as
an Estuary of National Significance; and
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon system contains more species of
plants and animals than any other estuary in North America, thirty-six of which
are rare, endangered, or threatened; and
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon has been documented to generate
revenues of more than $730 million annually including fisheries, and more than
$300 million annually in boat and marine sales; and
WHEREAS, restoration and protection of the Indian River Lagoon system,
including associated estuarine wetlands and undeveloped riverfront upland
buffers, are critical to sustain the viability of the Lagoon as a natural and
economic resource; and
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, in
cooperation with the St. Johns River Water Management District, the South
Florida Water Management District, and the Florida Counties of Volusia, Brevard,
Indian River, St. Lucie, and Martin, sponsored the Indian River Lagoon Blueway
CARL application in 1996 for State acquisition of estuarine wetlands and
undeveloped upland buffers associated with the Indian River Lagoon; and
WHEREAS, the Acquisition Restoration Council is considering the re-
prioritization of projects on the Florida Forever list; and
WHEREAS, State purchase of Indian River Lagoon wetlands and buffers
for restoration and protection purposes is in the public interest of the citizens of
Indian River County and compliments County efforts and objectives to preserve
the environmental and economic values of the Indian River Lagoon, consistent
with the goals, objectives and policies of the Indian River County Comprehensive
Plan, and in furtherance of the objectives of the National Estuary Program and
the Surface Water Improvement and Management Program; and
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program (IRLNEP),
affiliated with the St. Johns River Water Management District (SJRWMD), the
South Florida, Water Management District (SFWMD), and the U.S. Army Corps
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F:\Public Works\KeithM\Miscellaneous Agenda Items,Resolutions, etc\Resolution Supporting the Indian
River Lagoon Blueway Program.doc
, r
of Engineers (ACOE), has initiated feasibility studies to design and evaluate
restoration projects for the northern and southern portion of the Indian River
Lagoon as part of the Comprehensive Everglades Restoration Project (CERP);
and
WHEREAS, Indian River County has invested millions of dollars into
critical land acquisition and management of land to improve water quality within
the Indian River Lagoon.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS OF INDIAN RIVER COUNTY, FLORIDA, THAT
(1) The Indian River County Board of County Commissioners strongly supports
the continued ranking of the Indian River Lagoon Blueway Project in Group
"A" by the Florida Forever Program's Acquisition & Restoration Council, for
the purchase of estuarine wetlands and undeveloped upland buffers
associated with the Indian River Lagoon; and
(2) That this Resolution shall become effective immediately upon adoption.
The foregoing resolution was moved for adoption by Commissioner
Davi s and seconded by Commissioner Bowden , and
upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows:
Commissioner Arthur R. Neuberger Aye
Commissioner Wesley S. Davis Aye
Commissioner Gary C. Wheeler Aye
Commissioner Thomas S. Lowther Aye
Commissioner Sandra L. Bowden _VP
The Chairman thereupon declared this Resolution duly passed and
adopted this 4th day of January, 2005.
Attest: J. K. Barton, Clerk BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
INDIANRIV COUNTY, FLORIDA
_ . By S
Deputy Clerk Thomas S. Lowther Chairman
APPR ED AS TO FORM
AN ?e!
SUFFICIENCY
By
/ Marian E. F
Assistant County Attorney
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F:\Public Works\KeithM\Miscellaneous Agenda Items,Resolutions,etc\Resolution Supporting the Indian
River Lagoon Blueway Program.doc
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS y
giVF1z
Wesley S. Davis
Thomas S. Lowther
CQ�r District 1
Chairman
District 2
Gary C. Wheeler
Arthur)?. Neuberger J District 3
District 4
�ORIOp' Sandra L. Bowden
District 5
January 4, 2005
Acquisition & Restoration Council
c/o Mr. Mark Glisson
Office of Environmental Services, Division of State Lands
Department of Environmental Protection
3900 Commonwealth Boulevard, M.S. 140
Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000
RE: INDIAN RIVER LAGOON BLUEWAY PROJECT
1 Dear ARC Members:
On behalf of Indian River County, please find attached a Resolution approved by the
Indian River County Board of County Commissioners on January 4, 2005, strongly
supporting the continued ranking of the Indian River Lagoon (IRL) Blueway Project in
Group A by ARC.
It is the County's understanding that the ARC will vote on January 25 to determine
among other things, whether or not the IRL Blueway Project maintains its Group A
rating. The Indian River Lagoon is a very critical part of Indian River County's
environment and economy, and the County wants to make it very clear that it strongly
opposes a reduction of the IRL Blueway Project to a Group B ranking. The IRL
Blueway Project must remain in the Group A ranking.
Thank you for your time and attention.
Sincere ,
Thomas S. Lowther
Chairman
1840 25`"Street,Suite N-158
Vero Beach,FL 32960-3365
Telephone: 772-226-1490 FAX: 772-770-5334
Suncom 224-1490 e-mail. kmassung@ircgov.com